The NY Times predicts a dramatic increase in mortgage rates come March, with rates climbing to 6 percent or higher. Ouch. Arguments for or against? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott on Dec 15, 2009 - 4 answers

How exactly does one negotiate a lower rate on a (new) mortgage? [more inside]
posted by kitty teeth on Nov 12, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I, as a small investor in Canada, make a bet, (preferably leveraged) as to what interest rates are going to be in 5 years? [more inside]
posted by thenormshow on Apr 5, 2009 - 5 answers

Mortgages, interest rates, inflation, recession (UK-specific)... what to do? [more inside]
posted by le morte de bea arthur on Sep 10, 2008 - 7 answers

Every time the US federal reserve meets to decide on changing interest rates, the news articles say something like "in their statement the fed says ...". So my question is where can I find a listing of the statements for the past 10 or 20 years? I'd like to see how the words change over time. [more inside]
posted by GregX3 on Jan 31, 2007 - 4 answers

Please help me understand APY vs. interest rate on 6 month CDs so that I can stop being paranoid about getting ripped off. [more inside]
posted by spicynuts on Dec 19, 2006 - 18 answers

I've got two credit cards with interest rates of 21.24% and 23% - both with balances over $5K. Both banks have sent me convenience checks - one with 3.99% fixed APR for life of balance - the other with 0% through August (then 17% after). Can I 'swap' the debt from one card to the other by using a convenience checks to pay the balance and getting lower interest rates? I'm paying my debt off every month - but if I can get it to grow slower, I thought this would be a way to do that.
posted by anonymous on Jan 4, 2005 - 16 answers

Investment Question: Broadly speaking, if somebody believes that interest rates are likely to substantially increase in the near to mid-term, what would be the best investment strategy?
posted by willnot on Nov 3, 2004 - 5 answers

My parents used to tell me fantastic tales, that back in the day (being the 1950s), banks offered interest rates on savings accounts upwards of 10%, with almost no fees and charges. In comparison, my current bank (in Australia) offers me 0.5% interest, which is completely countered by about the first hour's worth of monthly charges. This is despite the bank being more efficient, having fewer employees, and having greater access to global capital. Can anyone tell me, if the global economy is really doing so great these days, why are savings / investment interest rates so abysmal in comparison to the past? Will this ever turn around again in the future?
posted by Jimbob on May 30, 2004 - 15 answers